Wigan

Wigan's population grew in the decade to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population reached nearly 320,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Wigan increased by 5.5%, from just over 301,000 to 318,000.

The addition of about 16,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Wigan was home to, on average, 12 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Wigan

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Wigan increased by three years, from 37 to 40 years.

This industrial area had a slightly higher average age than the North West and became slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 11,000 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 8,000.

About 16% of people in Wigan are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Wigan by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Wigan

The percentage of Wigan residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.2% to 6.7% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.8%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.0% in 2001. The percentage of Wigan residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.0% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Wigan that rented privately increased from 5.4% to 12% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under one in five (19%) households lived in social housing, compared with 20% in 2001. The percentage of Wigan households that owned their home decreased from 72% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Wigan increased by 6.3 percentage points

Percentage of households in Wigan, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Wigan residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 12% to 7.2% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (78%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 65% in 2001. The percentage of Wigan residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Wigan decreased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Wigan, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in Wigan, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 9.0% to 11% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (29%) households had only one person, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of households in Wigan which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 41% to 35%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.9% in 2001 to 9.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in Wigan increased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Wigan, the North West and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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